TV Q&A: The long and short of 'Friends' theme song

Q: TBS airs “Friends” daily in the late afternoon. On some episodes, the theme music is played in its entirety — vocal track as well as music track — over the opening and closing credits. On other episodes, it seems the vocal track has been eliminated and only the music track is being played. I’m wondering why.

A: A TBS publicist says a shortened theme song is used if episodes run longer in their original form than the running time of half-hour shows today. It’s about getting more commercials into the half-hour.

“Friends” originally aired when commercial breaks were shorter than they are today, the TBS publicist said. “To fit an episode into today’s standard half-hour time slot without sacrificing any of its story line, the opening theme is sometimes trimmed.”

Where are Beavis & Butt-Head?

Q: Has MTV announced if we’re going to see a run of new “Beavis & Butt-Head” episodes like what we saw last year?

A: It looks as if the show won’t be back.

“There are no immediate plans for new ‘Beavis & Butt-Head’ episodes on MTV, but you never know,” said an MTV official in an e-mailed response.

“Mad Men” is back

Q: I don’t see “Mad Men” on the AMC schedule. When will it start again?

A: “Mad Men” returned on Sunday at 8 p.m. for its sixth season, with a two-hour premiere.

“Newsroom” to roll this summer

Q: Can you tell me when the new season of “The Newsroom” will begin?

A: HBO has not yet announced a premiere date, but it’s expected to be this summer.